Candidates can explain, describe or discuss systems acquisition and development life-cycle phases and tasks
Main topic coverage Subject matter
Approaches Waterfall, spiral, interactive, prototyping Effect of new development techniques and
management theories on formal systems development life-cycle
Acquisition/development phases
Investigation and feasibility study Requirements analysis and initial design Detailed design specification/documentation Systems installation/implementation Maintenance
Standards, methods and controls
Documentation requirements
Main risks and reasons for failure of systems projects: e.g., economic, technical, operational, behavioral
Candidates can explain, describe or discuss investigation and feasibility studies Main topic coverage Subject matter
Investigation Analysis of existing systems; business process integration; business process re-engineering Scope of proposed systems and information needs, technology options
Nature and size of business Feasibility study Cost/benefit analysis
Statement of application requirements Feasibility analysis
Candidates can explain, describe or discuss requirements analysis and initial design
Main topic coverage Subject matter
User requirements elicitation
Processing modes
User interface: screen, report, form layouts Data bases/files/records
Integration with existing applications and systems Volume, scalability, extensibility requirements Systems analysis/design
tools and techniques
Structured analysis and design methodologies Questionnaires, interviews, document analysis, observation
Data flow diagrams; entity-relationship modeling, etc. Decision tables and decision trees
Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools Unified Modeling Language (UML)
Object methods Process design, data
organization, software requirements
Application architecture Technical architecture
Infrastructure requirements: facilities, hardware, network
Control requirements Availability, security/privacy, integrity, maintainability
Candidates can explain, describe or discuss systems design, selection, acquisition and development
Main topic coverage Subject matter
Infrastructure and software services
Selection of hardware, facilities, networks Selection of software packages
INT E RN ATI O NAL E DUC A T IO N PRACT ICE ST ATE M ENTS
Candidates can explain, describe or discuss systems design, selection, acquisition and development
Main topic coverage Subject matter
Selection of vendor/supplier/service providers Service level agreements
Escrow agreements
Contracting/leasing/licensing considerations
Software development Application development environment (programming languages/compilers, etc.)
Programming aids: Structured, event driven, object- oriented approaches
Systems design User interface: screen and report design
Data base/file design; systems and data base integration Audit trail; transaction flows
Interfaces
Systems and network transaction load requirements Computerized and user controls
Acceptance testing approach Documentation Statement of technical requirements
User and operations manuals
Candidates can explain, describe or discuss systems implementation Main topic coverage Subject matter
Systems implementation plan
Change management requirements User training
User acceptance Systems roll-out Data conversion
Candidates can explain, describe or discuss systems implementation Main topic coverage Subject matter
Risk management
Operation and recovery procedures Documentation
Install/deploy systems Install/deploy components: infrastructure, software User/operator procedures and controls
Recruit/train personnel Acceptance testing Acceptance testing approach:
• Identify resources required
• Develop high level testing scenarios
• Relate to functional and technical/architectural requirements
Tools and support: • Automated test tools • Test environment • Support
Test scripts and related data
Quality assurance/pre-implementation review Systems
conversion/changeover
Data transformation requirements Automated/manual
Operational considerations (pilot, parallel running and going live)
Timing consideration Tests
Risk management Resources required:
INT E RN ATI O NAL E DUC A T IO N PRACT ICE ST ATE M ENTS
Candidates can explain, describe or discuss systems implementation Main topic coverage Subject matter
• Conversion environment • Support
Tests to ensure data is complete, accurate and authorized Post-implementation
review
Meets business requirements
Impact on users, management and staff
Project schedule and resources (financial and people) consumed
Benefits realized
Opportunities for improvement
Candidates can explain, describe or discuss systems maintenance and program changes
Main topic coverage Subject matter
Maintenance standards Infrastructure Software Personnel competences Information architecture Business processes Version management Implementation controls Authorization controls
Documentation standards and controls Migration planning
Change controls Custody; change authorization Emergency change controls Testing and quality assurance
Candidates can explain, describe or discuss project management, project planning, project control methods and standards
Main topic coverage Subject matter
Initiate the project Project sponsorship and funding Stakeholders
Terms of reference
Apply project management tools and techniques Plan the project Scope, objectives and deliverables
Strategy to achieve objectives and deliverables Project schedule, including sequence of tasks and milestones
Resources and budgets
Quality standards that will be used to evaluate the project
Communication needs of all project stakeholders Goods and/or services that will be required to complete the project
Risk management approach on the project
Project management risk Business risk
Execute the project plan Ensure:
• Goods and services are selected and contracted, as required
• Quality standards are understood • Staff are properly trained and managed • Defined communication strategy
Control the project Control and coordinate changes across the project Manage the project budget
INT E RN ATI O NAL E DUC A T IO N PRACT ICE ST ATE M ENTS
Candidates can explain, describe or discuss project management, project planning, project control methods and standards
Main topic coverage Subject matter
methods to rectify any problems noted
Report project performance and revised schedule, as necessary
Ensure effective risk management Monitor risk mitigation
Identify new risks and change plan accordingly Issue identification, escalation and resolution process Complete the project Stakeholder communication and sign-off
Open items